Garden Care Tips

Spring & Early Summer

MARCH & APRIL

 TREES & SHRUBS -

• Inspect trees and shrubs for Winter Damage. When the risk of heavy snow and freezing temperatures has past, remove any protective coverings. Prune off any damaged limbs from trees and branches from shrubs. Fertilize shrubs and Perennial plantings with a good quality fertilizer.
• Inspect for Scale and other pests, and if needed use the appropriate method to control the pest. If you have trees and shrubs which were planted in the Fall, be sure to keep them well watered. They are very vulnerable to drying out at this time of year.
• MAY
• Prune shrubs and trees as required. Remember, prune immediately after flowering. Prune to shape them, if desired. Water when needed.
• JUNE
• TREES & SHRUBS -
• Remove faded flower heads from Rhododendrons by the end of the first week of June
• Inspect trees and shrubs for insects. If pests are present apply the appropriate control. Use Environmentally Friendly products whenever possible. If you must resort to other chemicals, CAREFULLY follow the label directions. DO NOT exceed the recommended dosage or rate of application with any products you use. This will not kill the pests any faster, and will do a lot of harm to the environment, and possibly your  plants. Remember to always wear protective clothing, keep children and pets well away, and don't breathe in any dust or mist that is created.
• ANNUALS & PERENNIALS -
• Keep flower beds free of weeds. Water as needed.
• Let Tulips and other flowering bulbs die back naturally. Cut them back if they are unsightly, to no less than 8 inches above the ground. Do not remove the leaves until they are dead, or you risk killing the bulb.
• TIP:
    Problems with animals digging in your shrub and flower beds? Try covering the soil with a wire mesh with openings about 1 inch in diameter, anchoring the mesh so that it is not easily pulled up. This will mostly be hidden by the leaves of plants and shrubs, and it gives the animals little place to dig. You can also cover the mesh with a mulch, but animals will try to dig in this.